Artist Mary Hurlbut shows off a work from the sea lion painting workshop.

Enjoy an informative tour of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center on Saturday, April 12, with a close-up view of live sea lions, followed by a hands-on art project, taught by a professional instructor Mary Hurlbut.

Everyone takes home finished art. Beginners are welcome and all supplies are included. The fee is $20 for adults and $15 for children age 6-18 accompanied by a paid adult.

Please gather at 8:45 a.m. for the 9 a.m. class. Registser at Laguna Outreach for Community Arts.

Photo: Artist Mary Hurlbut shows off a work from the sea lion painting workshop.

Slowly Enjoy Art

The international Slow Art Day, which takes place in 200 cities world wide, will also be celebrated at the Laguna Art Museum on Saturday, April 12, free as part of the Imagination Celebration.

Hosts Hedy Buzan, Saddleback art instructor and author Peter Clothier, invite art lovers to join them at 11 a.m. at the museum with a suggested list of artworks to consider and a few question to ponder. Afterwards, participants will share their observations over a snack at Madison Square & Garden Café.

Gallery Taps Festival Collection for Exhibition

An example of Gregg Stone’s work at the FoaSouth gallery.

Explore the art of “Gregg Stone – Painter” at the Festival of Arts’ satellite gallery foaSouth on display inside Active Culture yogurt shop beginning Saturday, April 12 through July 11.

The exhibit showcases his current work juxtaposed with his paintings from the Festival of Arts’ permanent collection.

The public is invited to a meet the artist at a special reception on May 1 from 6 – 9pm during First Thursdays Art Walk in Laguna Beach.

Art That’s Small at City Hall

Judy Haron

Judy Haron received a first-place blue ribbon for her small portrait of a brown pelican embellished with an intricate border, winner of the current exhibition “Art That’s Small at City Hall.”

The exhibition was juried by Laguna Art Museum curator Janet Blake, Laguna College of Art + Design’s gallery director Andrea Harris-McGee, and Festival of Arts board member Tom Lamb. The exhibition of little paintings runs through April 24 and rings City Hall’s lower level.

Laguna Beach native Chris Hitchcock returned to his hometown to bring to fruition a long-held goal of opening a gallery for his own work. His goal was made visible recently with CXYXTE or Coyote at 640 Coast Highway.

Hitchcock, 28, recently returned from Northern California after graduating from Humboldt State University in 2009 with a bachelor of studio art. His gallery showcases his work as a painter, woodworker and mixed media artist.

Hitchcock says he will be looking for other artists to exhibit in his gallery.